Political power of wealthy eroding Constitution and middle, working classes

November 16, 2011

Productivity measures human progress. It permits us to multiply our abilities. Without it, human transportation would still be only by foot, or animal power. Historically, the work for survival left little excess time, energy and financial resources to develop technologies to multiply our productivity and improve our quality of life. Historically, the leaders of stronger tribes received word from their Gods justifying the capture of others to use as sacrifices or slaves to do their menial work. Various forms of slavery, oppression and indenturing became the norm for thousands of years and exists yet where the wealthy and powerful gain more than the persons who actually produce needed goods and services. However, in the 20th and 21st centuries craftsmen advanced technology, multiplying productivity and profits, which built great industries, but was slow in rewarding the working class. Recently, collective bargaining quieted labor’s discontent and the resulting increased labor costs were passed along to consumers. Then, when industry had to reduce production costs to meet global competition, businesses found cheaper labor offshore. Although productivity is about technologies, it is also about the conflicts between people who are makers, takers and speculators. Makers produce more goods and services than they consume and takers consume more than the value they produce. Speculators profit from the risky, speculative side of financial services. Our government must also avoid capitalistic and socialistic excesses to promote a healthy and viral economy. In this regard, our revolution with Great Britain led to a unique idea that government should come from the people who, by free election, would choose their leaders. However, after more than two productive centuries, the political power of the wealthy is chipping away at the objectives of our Constitution through those officers who believe that to promote the general welfare, as directed by the Constitution, they must give first priority to the welfare of the wealthy, rather than prioritizing the middle and working classes who, as the majority producers, consumers and investors, are the engine of the economy.